PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Rotary Air to Air Refuelling - now with pic!
Old 19th Apr 2003, 18:09
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sarboy w****r
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: UK
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'A Perfect Storm' has a lot to answer for...

However, in answer to your question:

Some helicopters can inflight refuel in the same way as FW aircraft, though in UK I think it's just Mk3 Chinook (not sure about Mk2) and possibly Merlin too (anyone from Freak Sqn care to help?).

Main trouble is finding a tanker that can fly slow enough to allow the helicopter to keep up. UK no longer has C130 ac capable of tanking as far as I know, and our jet tankers fly too fast.

Close formation in helicopter is slightly trickier than FW, but just requires practice. Downwash shouldn't be a player in AAR as it should be well behind the helicopter.

Tip strikes are possible. I've seen video footage of MH53 cutting off its own refuelling probe when pilot was a bit too eager to push forward cyclic to correct his position. Doh!!

I'm willing to stand corrected on all of this, as I haven't done it myself. The only AAR I've done has been hovering next to a ship, plugged into a hose! A Sea King can't keep up with much else...
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